[ad_1]
France today expressed “grave concern” over the death of an imprisoned Turkish lawyer on hunger strike, and once again called on Turkey to “respect” human rights.
“We have learned with deep concern and pain from the death of lawyer Embro Timtik in a hunger strike that began with a fair trial,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Embru Timtik was sentenced in 2019 to more than 13 years in prison for “participation in a terrorist organization”. He had started a hunger strike demanding a fair trial. He died Thursday night. He was 42 years old.
He was a member of the Contemporary Bar Association, specialized in the defense of politically sensitive cases.
The Turkish authorities accuse the union of being linked to the radical Marxist-Leninist organization DHKP-C, a group that has carried out attacks and is described as a “terrorist” by Ankara and its Western allies.
“France pays tribute to this lawyer’s commitment to the rule of law and respect for fundamental freedoms, especially the right of everyone to a fair trial,” de d’Orce said.
Embru Timtik defended the family of Berkin Elvan, a teenager who died in 2014 from complications from the tear gas canister wound he suffered in 2013 during anti-government protests in Gezi Park.
“France reiterates its call on Turkey to fulfill its international commitments, in particular the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Paris is also calling for the “immediate” release of jailed lawyer Aitaj Unsal, who has been on a hunger strike for more than 200 days.
The death of Embro Timtik caused pain to many members of civil society and elected officials in Turkey and Europe.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
[ad_2]
